In his 52nd A-League appearance, Appiah struck with 11 minutes remaining against Adelaide United on Sunday, converting from a tight angle to double the Mariners' advantage in Canberra before Central Coast held on to win 2-1.

The sense of relief was palpable from the 24-year-old as he wheeled away to celebrate at GIO Stadium, and speaking to reporters on Tuesday he revealed how hard it had been waiting for his maiden A-League goal.